When you're doing activities where you want to cover more distance and keep your load light, you have to consider how much rainwear you need to protect yourself from the elements. If you go too light, you lose waterproofing and comfort, and wearing it all the time can be stressful. On the other hand, if you want sufficient performance and functionality, the weight can become a concern. Good news for those of you struggling with this dilemma. Here, we introduce the Marmot ZERO Penetrate Jacket, an
table of contents
General features
This jacket continues to use MemBrain® Strata™, the waterproof and breathable material used in the company's popular flagship lightweight rainwear, the ZERO INTEGRITY Series. It features a comfortable, snug-fitting hood, meticulous seam sealing, and a waterproof front zipper, all while weighing just 138g, making it one of the lightest and most portable rainwear available. Its unique design includes front pockets on both sides that can be used as ventilation for excellent heat dissipation. This rainwear is a reliable companion for high-output activities, especially fastpacking
Recommended points
- For a 2.5 layer, it feels soft and comfortable to wear
- Lightweight and flexible, with a stress-free cut for ease of movement
- The unique ventilation structure provides high ventilation
- Comes with a dedicated storage bag for easy portability
Points that interest me
- The ventilation is always left open, allowing water to get in when strong winds and rain blow
- Depending on the backpack, the waist harness may interfere with the front pocket, making it difficult to use
Item appearance (height: 174cm, worn as size S)
Front
Back
Main Specifications and ratings
| Specs | |
|---|---|
| item | Marmot ZERO Penetrate Jacket |
| material |
|
| size | M, L, XL |
| Color variations | SCDS Scarlet/Deep Sky, DSKY Deep Sky, MNG Mango, DCHC Dark Charcoal |
| weight | Average weight 138g |
| 2 front pockets | |
| Food | Shock cord integrated hood |
| water resistance | 20,000mm |
| Breathability | 20,000g (B1) |
| accessories | Storage staff bag |
| evaluation | |
| Waterproof | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Breathability | ★★★★☆ |
| Comfort | ★★★★☆ |
| Mobility | ★★★★☆ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Functionality | ★★★☆☆ |
| Durability | ★★☆☆☆ |
| General | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review
Ingenious ventilation
There is a gap just behind the front pocket, which acts as ventilation to actively regulate body temperature while you are moving around
I've been doing a lot of climbing lately, so I tried using them for trail running for the first time in a while, and when the weather was nice, the feeling of the breeze passing through the ventilation was very pleasant
Furthermore, upon closer inspection, we can see that there are small ventilation holes under the armpits, making this rainwear excellent for regulating body temperature
Pockets with unusual shapes are convenient, but you need to be careful
The front pocket that remains empty
The two front pockets on the left and right are very conveniently located for easy access, but as you can see in the photo below, they can get in the way of the backpack's hip belt harness. You'll need to think about how to make the most of this storage space. It seems like it would work well with backpacks without hip belts, like those used by UL hikers
Be careful not to let the contents fall out
The front pocket, like the ventilation, is left open, so when I took it off and accidentally put it on the ground, the contents would spill out. And if I moved around a lot, the contents would move around a bit. I tried various things, but I think it's best to use the storage space sparingly, and only store things you really need to use right away, rather than actively using it
Also, personally, I wanted to keep the built-in storage bag with the shell, which I'm afraid will get lost, so I would have liked a small zippered storage compartment on the inside of the chest to ensure it wouldn't fall out. Alternatively, if the storage bag was integrated into the garment, I would have had no complaints
It can be surprisingly inconvenient to have to use a separate storage bag. It's understandable since the bag doesn't have a zipper to keep it light, but at times like this, you want a secure storage solution
Waterproof and breathable
I feel anxious when I am constantly being hit by heavy rain
It uses the company's proprietary waterproof and breathable material "MemBrain® Strata™" and is fully seam-sealed for a highly waterproof construction. The outer fabric is made of 12d ultra-fine yarn, providing a waterproof rating of 20,000mm and a breathability of 20,000g, making it a highly functional outerwear for mountain climbing. The lining is also comfortable for a 2.5-layer jacket, making it comfortable to wear
Now let's try using it
I was comfortable in light rain in the mountains, but as the rain got heavier, a film of water gradually formed on the outer surface, and the water-repellent properties were lost quite quickly. Perhaps because the breathability had decreased, the lining was quite wet with sweat
When hit hard, the water repellency weakened and the water formed a film
It is true that the jacket is generally well-made, such as the fit of the hood, but from a practical waterproofing perspective, such as the ventilation holes remaining open, it is not completely waterproof even in rainy weather, so care should be taken in this regard
Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?
This unique piece of clothing is packed with maximum functionality while remaining ultra-lightweight, including front pockets with open ventilation. While it may be considered gear for connoisseurs, some concerns can be alleviated if the intended use is right. In that sense, it's a perfect item for long trail hikers and ultralight hikers, and is highly recommended. Making good use of the unique ventilation function will provide unprecedented comfort. For example, in a forested area where there's no strong wind, there's no need to worry about rain getting in through the ventilation, and in such places where it's generally muggy, you'll really appreciate its excellent temperature-regulating capabilities
On the other hand, it has some aspects that are clearly not for everyone, such as the open ventilation and front pockets, so it is best to think of it as an option for those who already have several rainwear items, or as "professional" wear for those who have been looking for this kind of functionality from the beginning. For those who have been looking for this kind of performance, it will undoubtedly be a truly one-of-a-kind piece of clothing. If you can wear this and be satisfied with how you use it, you must be a very particular person
We also recommend this article about rainwear.
- Check out the types of rainwear and how to choose them before purchasing
- Rainwear for mountaineering that you can't miss this season [for hiking and trekking]
- Ultra-lightweight rainwear that you won't miss this season [for trail running and fast packing]
- Comparison review: Which rainwear you should have if you're going to climb? ?
- Comparison review: We compared ultra-lightweight rainwear that is great for mountain climbing and running [2016SS]
Related reading
